Here's an idea how Hamilton can repay Rangers

Posted on: February 8, 2012 12:44 pm

Edited on: February 8, 2012 1:10 pm

Josh Hamilton is said to have been seeking a contract befitting a superstar before he went on his recent bender. Whether that means eight years, or $200 million, or something a bit south of that, he should put that idea out of his head right now.

Hamilton and the Rangers both said aloud that contract talks, which were expected to get going soon, will be tabled indefinitely while he and they try to figure out where he went wrong and how it happened. And that's perfectly appropriate. But even after he thinks he has it all figured out, Hamilton owes it to the team to offer to do a one-year deal with the Rangers. It can have team options if he likes, but only one year should be guaranteed under the circumstances.

Hamilton surely understands that if the Rangers don't give him a contract rewarding his incredible talent while ignoring the obvious major negative that someone else probably will. But Hamilton should also understand now he belongs in Texas and with the Rangers, who have guided him and backed him, and really, saved him. He owes them big. It is time he defers the dollars for some common sense.

The reality, of course, is that Hamilton or any other ballplaying millionaire making such a one-year proposal is probably about as likely as Texas seceding from the union. Still, it would be refreshing under the circumstances. It would also be the right thing to do.

Hamilton acknowledged he owed his wife and his team for what he has put them through, and here's his chance to show at least the team that that wasn't merely lip service. The Rangers saved him by trading for him and watching over him these past few years. They assigned Johnny Narron, a professional baseball man, to be his "accountability coach,'' and now, after Hamilton's own father-in-law Michael Dean Chadwick turned down the job, they have brought in Shayne Kelley, a former team chaplain and baseball coach with the Univeristy of Alabama, to handles duties that are far more difficult than most of us realize.

Hamilton performed masterfully at his press conference beyond his hat being on backwards, his failure to answer questions and his rather casual jog off stage. But one must ask themselves whether it is all or mostly an act. He looks like he's gotten off scot free, except for the delayed talks. What exactly are the repercussions? Rangers GM Jon Daniels has acknowledged that Hamilton is unlikely to face punishment from MLB for his episode, which included by his own admission "three or four''' alcoholic drinks before a return trip to the bar after promising concerned teammate Ian Kinsler he'd stay in the rest of the evening.

Hamilton acknoweldged that he, as an addict, is adept at fooling people about what's really going on. The whole back story of that night isn't known, nor is very much else known about his recovery. He is mandated, as a player who regained admission to MLB after being banned for continuing drug test failures, to take at least three drug tests a week. So at the very least, he has been staying off drugs. But this is the second alcoholic episode that's been documented.

It is time for him to give back to the team. Rangers officials say they passed on eight years for Fielder not to concentrate on Hamilton, that they just saw the price as too high and the length too long for Fielder. But Rangers owner Bob Simpson suggested it was unlikely they'd sign both longterm when he expressed his preference for Hamilton. That was merely one recent act of kindness the Rangers have shown Hamilton over the years. They have saved his career. Now, as he suggested in his press conference, it is time for him to repay.

Here's an idea how Hamilton can repay Rangers

If memory is correct I believe it was the Cincinatti Reds who first gave Hamilton his chance back into the majors. Why does he owe the Rangers so much then Jon Heyman? Truth is he doesn't owe anyone but his wife and kids an apology. He can tell his teammates what happened but if he goes out and puts up great numbers again will this be a subject in 3-6 months? Of course not. Its only a story because its a slow sports day and Heyman was plain bored.

Since: Mar 17, 2009

Posted on: February 15, 2012 3:21 pm

Here's an idea how Hamilton can repay Rangers

Hamilton had a few beers. So what! Doctors all say a glass of alcohol a day is healthy.

Since: Dec 22, 2011

Posted on: February 15, 2012 9:40 am

Here's an idea how Hamilton can repay Rangers

Knowing the way pro sports works, Hamilton will probably get a raise.

Since: Feb 14, 2012

Posted on: February 14, 2012 11:34 am

Here's an idea how Hamilton can repay Rangers

Your facts are wrong. The Reds were the ones who picked Hamilton up off the scrap heap and gave him a chance (after the Rays gave up on him). They were also the ones who hired Johnny Narron (the brother of the Reds' manager at the time) to be his accountability coach. The Rangers only traded for him after he'd had a successful first year in the majors with the Reds. They simply kept the support system already set up by the Reds. The Rangers never went out on a limb for Hamilton. He doesn't owe them anything below his market value.

Since: Dec 12, 2009

Posted on: February 10, 2012 3:32 pm

Here's an idea how Hamilton can repay Rangers

......If Hamilton was a Yankee then Jon "big nose" Heyman would be singing a different tune......

Since: Nov 29, 2006

Posted on: February 10, 2012 12:26 pm

Here's an idea how Hamilton can repay Rangers

spellcheck-acknoweldged. Nice editing

Since: Aug 19, 2006

Posted on: February 10, 2012 8:13 am

Here's an idea how Hamilton can repay Rangers

Why does he owe the Rangers anything??? he's an addict and they know this..he fell off the wagon. it didnt cost them a game. his struggle is day to day. and they know this. If the Rangers want to invest in him then they should protect their investment by doing everything they can to protect him. but the bottom line is their investing in an addict and there's a risk to that.. he owes the Rangers no apology..he owes it to himself to keep fighting his demons..

Since: Dec 27, 2009

Posted on: February 9, 2012 10:48 pm

Here's an idea how Hamilton can repay Rangers

As the son of an alcoholic and currently married to an alcoholic (15 years sober), I think I have a real insight into the problem and I'm not just pulling an opinion out of thin air. Alcoholism IS a disease. You can choose not to drink, but you can't choose not to be an alcoholic. As for the idea that every alcoholic falls off the wagon from time to time, I'd suggest you attend an AA meeting and meet those with 25-30 years of sobriety. It can be done.

As for Josh, I think this is beyond his yearly offseason binges. The issue is the years he spent out of baseball trying to tame his habit and get back into baseball. Josh is no spring chicken unlike most players with his amount of service time. I don't believe this front office will make the mistake of doing a long term deal with Josh. I think the attempt to sign Fielder was prompted by the need to fill Josh's hole when he leaves before it happens. He's certainly fun to watch but this front office is too smart to leverasge the future on a guy that can't be counted on.

Maybe the Angels will back the truck up for him. That seems to be what they do best.

Since: Feb 17, 2008

Posted on: February 9, 2012 7:31 pm

Here's an idea how Hamilton can repay Rangers

@ You should read up on Josh's biography. It will no doubt be a movie some day. Charlie Sheen or Robert Downey, Jr. could play the lead. Nobody forced him to try it the first time. But when you're young and intentionally removed from your family and caring support, it's not that farfetched that you would give into peer pressure or fall into the wrong crowd.

I don't see any reason why he should owe the Rangers anything. Is he that much better off with Ron Washington as his role model than when he was with the Reds???

Since: Dec 2, 2007

Posted on: February 9, 2012 5:17 pm

Here's an idea how Hamilton can repay Rangers

OK, I know this will sound crazy, but I honestly think that there is a possibility that the "incident" was staged.

I'm not a big believer in conspiracy theories, but humor me and think about this: The Player's Union has been presuuring Josh into going after the biggest free-agent contract he could get. Heck, Josh has even gone on record saying that he owed it to the players before him and the ones after to get as much as he could. Obviously, the Rangers are not going to be the ones to pay "stupid" momey for him. Too big a risk. However, we all know that some team out there will.

The "incident" now gives both Josh and the team the ability to make their own deal without the pressure of the Union.

OK, I admit that it is far-fetched. However, I just can't seem to convince myself that there isn't some kernel of truth somewhere in this argument. We may never know, but I can say that if Josh re-signs at a "reasonable" number, then my point may have more validity than some of you are willing to admit.